Balfour continues to progress quickly – updated

Grant Balfour threw off the mound this morning, just 15 days after his arthroscopic knee surgery. We haven’t had a post-bullpen session report, but barring some sort of setback – and remember, this is Balfour’s knee, not his arm, making a setback much less likely – he should be in games within two weeks. And that means the A’s closer will be ready for Opening Day, which is one month from today.

UPDATE: Balfour threw 25 pitches and manager Bob Melvin and pitching coach Curt Young both said that it went well, and Young estimated that Balfour was at about “91 percent” effort level.

Balfour, jokingly exaggerating, said of his session, “Unbelievable!”

Balfour said he has some stiffness in his right knee, which is to be expected. He still has not been allowed to run yet, so he said it will be another week or two before he has full range of motion back in the knee.

But he can pitch, and, Balfour said, his arm feels great. He threw all his stuff, too. “I’m going to need it,” he reasoned. “It’s going to take me a month to great ready.” Balfour is typically not a great performer during the spring.

Chris Young is back in the lineup after coming out of Sunday’s game with cramping in his left quadriceps.

Jarrod Parker is making his first appearance of the spring, as are Sean Doolittle, Ryan Cook and Jerry Blevins. The A’s decided to give all their regular starters and relievers extra time before appearing in games this spring, which is seven weeks long rather than six because of the World Baseball Classic.